Professional Documents
Culture Documents
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
We strongly recommend you read it carefully and keep it for future reference. The Office of University Immigration Services
and the Office of Graduate and International Student Life are here to help with your questions. Please feel free to utilize all
resources available to you. We wish you success as you begin this new adventure.
The Office of Graduate and International Student Life at the University of New Haven is the main hub for all graduate and
international student needs, engagement, support, and services. We work to foster an inclusive and supportive environment
to ensure every student has a positive and enriching experience during their time with us. Formally known as the Office
of Graduate Student Services and the International Students Office, our new office structure as of Summer 2021 will only
strengthen and expand the services and engagement opportunities for all graduate and international students.
OGISL@newhaven.edu
The Office of University Immigration Services (UIS) handles international student advising related to the F-1 and J-1 visa status
life cycle, including:
• Initial I-20/DS-2019 issuance • Paperwork (letters) required for banking, the DMV,
SSN, or ITIN applications
• Visa interviews
• I-20/DS-2019 updates
• Travel and arrival to the United States
• Extensions, shorten program dates, LOAs
• Maintenance of visa status
• Reduced courseload authorizations
• Immigration regulations
• F-2/J-2 dependent documents
• Change of visa status
• Employment authorizations (CPT, OPT, severe economic
• Change of education level
need, TPS, J-1 academic training)
• SEVIS transfers
• Post-completion and STEM OPT reporting
• All J-1 scholar needs
• Travel and visa renewal for students
and visiting family members
The checklist below summarizes the steps needed to make your transition to the University of New Haven as seamless
as possible.
You will find a link to MyCharger at the top right corner of the University website. If you think you may have missed the emails,
contact the admissions office.
Housing
Research and coordinate your on- or off-campus housing. Review the resources and links on the following pages in
this Pre-Arrival Guide.
Please note that scholarships and assistantships are awarded during the admissions process. If you wish to know more,
talk with your admissions counselor.
• Complete document check-in via the online form provided by University Immigration Services. Please don’t do this
before you arrive in the U.S. because a copy of your I-94 arrival record is required.
• Complete the Canvas course entitled New International Student Orientation before the add-drop deadline.
To ensure proper processing of SEVIS Registration, all international students must upload the following documents
to their check-in e-form:
The Office of University Immigration Services (UIS) assists and advises students on maintaining their status, but the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) considers it the sole responsibility of students to maintain the terms of their F-1/J-1
status. UIS will help you navigate the government regulations to avoid pitfalls. These guidelines can help you.
1. Reporting
DHS requires student visa-holders check in with their school within 15 days of the start of the semester. Failure to report could
result in possible loss of legal status and possible termination of the SEVIS record. The UIS urges all international students to
complete document check-in via the University Immigration Services online form. before the start of their academic program.
The UIS will then report to the DHS on behalf of all our international students.
2. Contact Information
International students must report any changes to their address, name, or contact information within 10 days of the change.
Students should report these changes to the UIS by submitting the Personal Information Update Online Form. University
Immigration Services will report via SEVIS, and this satisfies the government requirement.
3. Academics
International students must register for and complete a full course of study each semester at the school that issued their
I-20/DS-2019. The minimum courseload per semester is:
• Undergraduates: 12 credits
• Graduates: 9 credits
Summer terms are optional. Students who do not register for and maintain the minimum credit hours during subsequent
fall or spring terms are considered out of status.
No more than one 3-credit online course per semester can count toward a student’s full-time course load.
4. Enroll Full-time
All students must register during the registration period before the semester begins. Any changes must be done by the
Registrar’s add-drop deadline. Failure to enroll full-time violates student visa status. The Center for Student Success will
assist undergraduates in their course registration. Graduate students should seek guidance from their academic advisor,
program coordinator, or the Office of Graduate and International Student Life.
8. SEVIS Transfers
If an international student wishes to transfer from the University of New Haven to another school, they need to have their
SEVIS record transferred and must notify the UIS in advance. The student must submit a letter of acceptance from the transfer
to school, and if still enrolled at the University of New Haven, complete the Registrar’s withdrawal process. SEVIS transfers are
also necessary for graduated or OPT/STEM students who wish to enroll in a new institution for a new degree,
but they don’t need to submit a withdrawal to the Registrar because they have already graduated.
9. Employment
There are strict limitations placed on the F-1/J-1 students’ eligibility to work. Working without authorization is a serious
violation of status and can lead to the termination of a student’s SEVIS record.
• F-1/J-1 students may work part-time on-campus (less than 20 hours per week) while school is in session and full-time
during school breaks.
• F-1 students can only work off-campus if they are eligible and authorized for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or
Optional Practical Training (OPT) in advance. J-1 students must be eligible and authorized for Academic Training (AT).
All other work (whether paid or unpaid) is unauthorized and a violation of F-1/J-1 student status. Engaging in
unauthorized off-campus work is grounds for termination of an F-1/J-1 student’s visa status.
• Students working on-campus or authorized to work off-campus in a paid position must apply for a Social Security
Number by filling out an application with the Social Security Administration. It may take a few weeks to obtain a
Social Security Number and card.
If you have any questions about these guidelines or your immigration status, the University Immigration Services staff are
available to help you.
• On-Campus Housing
• Off-Campus Housing
• Shopping
• Weather in Connecticut
• Setting up a Bank Account in the United States
• Getting a Cell Phone
Housing
Once you have received your visa and confirmed your commitment deposit, it is time to decide where you will live. You can
choose to live in University-sponsored housing or find your own housing. Information about University-sponsored housing
for both undergraduate and graduate students can be found on the Office of Residential Life webpages.
While off-campus housing may seem more economical, there are many benefits of living in University-sponsored housing:
• Convenience: Location cuts down on travel time and transportation expenses. Residents in the University-sponsored
apartments in downtown West Haven have access to a regular free shuttle service.
• Simplicity of Payments: Utilities including internet are included in the price, so you have one payment rather than multiple
bills for rent, utilities (electricity, gas, water, trash removal), internet access, and meals.
• Security: Campus safety officers patrol the facilities daily and are available if needed.
• Maintenance: Campus facilities staff maintain the property in good shape and respond quickly to make repairs if needed.
This includes snow removal in the winter.
• Residential Life Staff: Community supervisors are trained professionals who are always accessible to help you connect to
support services and fun programming, help with roommate conflicts, and so on.
Assistance in planning your budget for living expenses can be found by visiting the Living Expenses for Graduate Students
webpage.
Resident Assistants (RA)s are involved and dedicated students on the Residential Life staff who work hard to bring the
students within the building together, create new connections, and provide support with any questions or problems they
may face.
Students can view the residence halls on the Office of Residential Life webpage. First-year undergraduate students may also
choose to live in an Enhanced Learning Community (ELC) based on their academic program. ELCs take the learning outside the
classroom as students participate in field trips, guest lectures, service-learning projects, barbecues, and much more.
International undergraduate students may choose to live off-campus, but it is not recommended because it can be more
complex than expected. For example, commuting to campus can be a burden, and instead of paying one basic fee at the
beginning of the year, you must keep up with monthly rent, utilities, and security deposits. Costs can add up quickly and actually
be more expensive. Finally, there is a smaller community of peers. Instead of having a whole residence hall (or campus for that
matter) full of people to meet and interact with, your off-campus community could consist of your roommate, existing friends,
and your neighbors.
Off-Campus Housing
If you prefer to live off-campus, we encourage you to begin researching as early as possible prior to your arrival in the United
States. The University of New Haven does not offer temporary housing, so if you have not confirmed your housing before your
arrival, you may need to stay in a local hotel or with friends until you secure off-campus housing.
When searching for off-campus housing, it is important to know that the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment
in this area of Connecticut ranges from $850 to $1,500 or more per month. Expect to pay more than $1,000 for a 2-bedroom
apartment and $1,500 to $2,000 for a luxury apartment. One-bedroom apartments usually house 1 to 2 people, and
2-bedroom apartments usually house 2 to 3 people.
Additional expenses to consider are transportation and meals. Students living off-campus can explore commuter meal plans
to be able to eat meals on campus.
An Off-Campus Housing Guide for International Students can be found on the website. We strongly recommend that
students planning to live off-campus review this resource, which includes information on finding housing, signing a lease,
roommates, security deposits, and renters’ legal rights.
2. ShopRite of Orange | 259 Bull Hill Ln., Orange 11. Walmart | 515 Saw Mill Rd.
2.1 miles from campus 2.4 miles from campus
Post Road/Mall Shuttle line (weekends)
PHARMACIES
3. ALDI | 535 Saw Mill Rd., Orange
2.4 miles from campus 12. CVS | 252 Orange Terrace
0.4 miles from campus
SPECIALTY MARKETS 13. West Haven Pharmacy | 764 Campbell Ave.
4. Halal Market & Restaurant | 715 Boston Post Rd. 1 mile from campus
Makkah Halal Market | 702 Boston Post Rd. West Haven Shuttle line
0.6 miles from campus
14. Rite Aid | 70 Elm St.
Post Road/Mall Shuttle line (weekends)
1.4 miles from campus
5. Hong Kong Market | 1055 Boston Post Rd.
15. Walgreens | 54 Boston Post Rd, Orange
1.2 miles from campus
1.9 miles from campus
Post Road/Mall Shuttle line (weekends)
Post Road/Mall Shuttle line (weekends)
6. India Farmer’s Market | 100 Boston Post Rd.
16. CVS | 25 Boston Post Rd, Orange
Bharat Bazaar Farmer’s Market | 81 Boston Post Rd.
1.9 miles from campus
1.9 miles from campus
Post Road/Mall Shuttle line (weekends)
Post Road/Mall Shuttle line (weekends)
22. Sam’s Food Stores | 665 Campbell Ave. 25. U.S. Postal Service | 589 Campbell Ave.
Brito’s Grocery, 559 Campbell Ave. 1.4 miles from campus
1.2 miles from campus West Haven Shuttle line
West Haven Shuttle line
Shuttles
The University of New Haven provides a robust system of shuttles to help students, faculty, staff, and visitors navigate travel
quickly between University-sponsored parking lots, main campus, local railroad and bus stations, downtown New Haven, and
points west of campus on Boston Post Road, including major shopping centers. The Shuttle Tracker allows you to track the
shuttles enroute at any time from your devices.
Buses
CT Transit | cttransit.com
• Bus 261 runs east to New Haven and west along Boston Post Road out to the Connecticut Post Mall. Bus stops are just
outside the University main gate on Boston Post Road.
• Bus 265 runs east to New Haven and south on Campbell Ave and over to Saw Mill Road and Bull Hill Lane. The bus stop
is on Campbell Avenue just below Dodds Hall.
Trains
• Metro North | new.mta.info/agency/metro-north-railroad (New Haven south to New York City)
• Amtrak | amtrak.com (East Coast corridor Washington, D.C. to Boston; stops in New Haven)
• Shoreline East | shorelineeast.com (New Haven east to New London, Connecticut)
• Hartford Line | hartfordline.com (New Haven north to Springfield, Massachusetts)
Ride-Share
• Uber
• Lyft
Airport Shuttles
University of New Haven organizes an airport shuttle for newly arriving students. Please inquire with the Office of Graduate
and International Student Life.
Fall/Autumn (September–November)
Typically breezy and mild with some rain. Temperatures usually rise during the day and cool down at night.
Winter (December–February)
Can be snowy and cold or mild. Your winter clothing should include warm sweaters, winter coats, hats, gloves, sturdy boots, and
thick socks.
Spring (March–May)
Can be quite rainy, though temperatures are starting to warm up to a milder range.
Summer (June–August)
Temperatures really start to warm. The early part of the season is mild with sunny days. As the summer progresses, be prepared
for hot and humid days.
Outerwear
• Gloves/mittens, scarf, knit cap, waterproof winter coat
• Warm, waterproof boots (with good traction for snow and ice)
Innerwear
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Sweaters or fleece sweatshirts
• Warm socks (wool is a good choice)
• Thermal/long underwear, leggings (to wear under trousers)
• Flannel or fleece pajamas
Checking Account
Great for day-to-day expenses. A checking account lets you make numerous withdrawals and unlimited deposits. You can use
your checking account for living expenses, daily transactions, and paying bills. Many banks will offer online and mobile banking,
so you can manage your money 24 hours a day.
Savings Account
Perfect if you want to save money. A savings account requires a minimum deposit and provides a modest interest rate of return.
Savings accounts are generally for money you don’t intend to use for daily expenses. A savings account is also likely to have a
limited number of free transfers/transactions.
Most students at the University of New Haven find it convenient to link their bank account electronically through their
automatic teller machine (ATM) debit card. Usually banks will not charge extra fees when you use your bank’s ATM. When
you use an ATM in a store or at other banks, you may be charged an extra transaction fee. Online account management and
bill payment is standard, so make sure you understand how to set up this important service.
• Your Passport
• I-20 or DS-2019
• I-94 Form (Obtained at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94)
• Your University of New Haven student ID card
• Full-time status letter from the UIS requested from MyCharger.
(Please allow 2-5 business days for the UIS to process your request.)
1. Using an unlocked cell phone from home and purchasing a new SIM card in the United States
If you have an unlocked phone, campusSIMS is a great option for purchasing a new SIM card. The University often has
a supply of campusSIMS cards that you can pick up once you arrive and set up your plan via a downloaded app or online.
3. Buying a new cell phone and setting up a contract plan to pay monthly
Contract phones require that you buy a phone from a specific company. You must also sign an agreement for a one- or
two-year plan. This will mean that, once every month, you will receive a bill for the use of the service. Contract plans generally
require either a Social Security Number or a credit check, which most international students cannot provide.
T-Mobile is one carrier that does not require a contract, deposits, or a credit check to set up a contract, which makes it
a great option for international students.
There are several cell phone providers located near the University of New Haven campus. Shop around, compare rates and
services, and consider several important factors before you decide on a provider. The Office of Graduate and International
Student Life will have several cell phone providers on campus for you to meet with during the resource and engagement fair
as part of your orientation program.
How to Dial
For calls within parts of Connecticut and the New Haven area, simply dial the area code 203, then the seven-digit phone
number. For calls outside the 203 area code, dial the area code and the seven-digit telephone number.
Within our colleges and schools, students immerse themselves in a transformative, career-focused education across the liberal
arts and sciences, fine arts, business, healthcare and health sciences, engineering, public safety, and public service. More than
100 academic programs are offered, all grounded in a long-standing commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary, project-
based learning.
At the University of New Haven, the experience of learning is both personal and pragmatic, guided by a distinguished faculty
who care deeply about individual student success. As leaders in their fields, faculty provide the inspiration and recognition
needed for students to fulfill their potential and succeed at whatever they choose to do.
The University of New Haven is made up of five schools and colleges:
Academic Differences
All students are required to know the information in the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct.
Here are some general differences to help you understand the American classroom. As an international student, studying
in a U.S. classroom can be a life-changing experience. You will be able to express yourself freely, make friends, build your
confidence, and challenge your friends and professors on topics in class. Many international students find very noticeable
differences between classroom culture in the United States and in their home countries.
1. Academic Structure
An undergraduate student usually enrolls in four or more 3-credit courses a semester to maintain full-time (12 credits)
standing. Graduate students usually enroll in three (3 credit) courses a semester to maintain full-time (9 credits) standing.
You will be assigned a faculty advisor who will assist you with choosing your courses, discuss your overall academic plans,
and answer any general academic questions.
2. Classroom Procedures
During the first week of classes, the instructor will hand out a syllabus that will outline the course objectives, required
textbooks, chapters to be covered, due dates for assignments, attendance policy, and the grading policy. The syllabus will
include the instructor’s office location and contact information. One major difference students find is that grades are based
on weekly assignments, papers, and projects rather than exams only.
Others prefer a more conversational style and encourage interaction throughout the class. When expressing your views in class,
be ready to share, explain, and possibly defend your ideas in a respectful manner.
5. Attendance Matters
Your course instructor will inform you of the attendance policy at the beginning of the semester. Regular attendance is
expected of all students. It is likely that attendance will affect your grade. Missing more than two classes or being excessively
tardy could result in a lowering of your final course grade. If you must miss a class, email your professor before the class meets
to let them know of your absence.
6. Class Participation
Many professors encourage class participation and often expect it. In some courses, it is part of the overall grade. If you feel
hindered from participating because of your English proficiency, we strongly advise you to discuss this issue with the professor
and the Office of Graduate and International Student Life.
You will likely encounter these academic differences and perhaps others, too. There are many offices and departments at the
University of New Haven that are dedicated to helping students succeed. You will learn more about resources like the Center for
Student Success, Writing Center, the Center for Learning Resources (CLR), and the Office of Graduate and International Student
Life at Orientation. Their services are free, and students are strongly encouraged to take advantage.
The International Festival, known as “I-Fest,” occurs in the spring at the University of New Haven. The International
Festival is a celebration of the diversity that exists on campus, with displays, food, and entertainment from many countries,
clubs, and organizations. The International Student Association invites you to participate in this grand event in any way
you can, whether it’s dancing, setting up, serving food, or planning. You won’t want to miss one of the biggest and best
attended events on campus!
Charger Connection
The University has more than 150 student clubs and organizations. The Office of Graduate and International Student Life
(OGISL) and the Center for Student Engagement, Leadership and Orientation (CSELO) foster campus community through
programs, resources, and opportunities for involvement that advance student learning and prepare students for success in the
global community. Students can access Charger Connection on myCharger for a list of all student organizations and events
happening on campus.
Employment is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session. Employment can be more than 20 hours per week during
the summer and official school breaks. On-campus employment may only occur between the program start and end dates on a
Form I-20 or DS-2019.
If you obtain paid on-campus employment, you must apply for a Social Security Number. For instructions on how to apply,
please review the information on the UIS MyCharger page or contact uis@newhaven.edu.
J-1 students must receive written authorization from the University Immigration Services or their program sponsor prior to
beginning on-campus employment.
F-1/J-1 students hired for an on-campus position must complete the necessary hiring paperwork with the University of New
Haven’s Student Employment Office (SEO) prior to beginning work. The SEO will assist the hired student with acquiring a
Social Security Number.
Go to MyCharger and click the icon on the main toolbar or the Career Development Center in Student Resources. Then click the
Login to Charger Link on the right side of the page.
You will be prompted to create an account. You may also upload your resume/CV. Once you have created your profile, you can
select the “Position Type” drop-down menu and select “On-Campus Employment.” You can view the various open positions and
apply within Charger Link.
Information about Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) is available on the UIS myCharger
pages or by emailing uis@newhaven.edu.